Sidon

Sidon is known for it's fishing industry.  Long before Lebanon was a country, Sidon was called Saidoon by the Phonecians (the people who invented the first alphabet).  It now also goes by Saida, it's Arabic name.  Sidon used to be independent, and in constant competition with Tyre, it's neighbor to the south.  Today however they both reside in the bounds of Lebanon.  One of the biggest differences between them is that Sidon is predominately Sunni Muslim and Tyre is Shiiate Muslim.    

The Port of Sidon

Sidon is home to many leftovers of antiquity, from almost every culture that settled it over thousands of years.  The Temple of Asherah and Altar of Baal are there.  

There are Roman Roads:

There is a Crusaders' Castle:

The Castle on the Water

 

 

There is a soap factory.  Soap was discoverd/invented in the Middle East.  It was a part of daily life here centuries before other culutres.

Soap waiting to harden to be cut into bars.

Cut bars that have already dried
(Soap takes 45 days-1 year to dry completely.)



Old Sidon is a beautiful part of town, and wisely it's mostly in the shade. 

However, you have to be careful because as you're wandering and admiring the scenery you'll run across a lot of this:

I really loved my time in Sidon!  I hope I get to go back one day and see some more of it.